His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 92

Helena threw him a glance, then another, clearly wanting to say something but holding her tongue.

Just after six o'clock, he suddenly stood up and stated matter-of-factly, "I'll take Cindy home."

Helena raised her eyebrows, her expression shifting to one of subtle amusement, but she didn't object.

"I need to head back to the office anyway," he added. "It'll save you the trip."

Without waiting for a response, he turned, scooped Cindy up into his arms, and headed for the door.

...

Downstairs at Virginia's apartment building.

After receiving Helena's call, Virginia had quickly wrapped up her work and rushed back as fast as she could.

She had just reached the entrance of her building, debating whether to wait upstairs or downstairs, when a sweet, familiar little voice rang out behind her.

"Mommy!"

Pushing the car door open, Cindy had spotted Virginia in her light khaki trench coat from a distance.

Too impatient to wait to be lifted down, the little girl scrambled out of the car with her short arms and legs, then sprinted over to throw herself at Virginia, hugging her legs tightly.

Virginia wrapped her arms around Cindy. Looking up over her daughter's tiny frame, her gaze collided with Archer as he slowly approached.

He held Cindy's drawing board in one hand. Under the glow of the streetlights, his slate-blue suit gave him a quiet, brooding aura.

Virginia's expression instantly cooled, and she took a half-step back.

Archer's motion to hand over the drawing board faltered, his hand freezing mid-air.

"Thank you." Virginia reached out to take the board. Her tone was painfully polite and distant, practically building an invisible wall between them.

She looked him dead in the eye, yet her clear gaze seemed to look right through him. "Please don't trouble yourself with Cindy in the future, Mr. Vanderbilt. You have your own child to look after."

Archer's jaw tightened dangerously.

She was drawing a line in the sand.

At only four years old, Cindy didn't understand the complexities of their history, but she was highly observant. She could easily sense the cold tension radiating between her mother and Mr. Archer.

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